Breast Cancer - New or Recurrence

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to referral standards and also include:

  • Process of diagnosis of new cases and recurrence
  • History and treatment of original cancer if recurrence
  • Copies of investigations
  • Clinical examination – good description of breast
  • Presence or absence of lymphadenopathy
  • Breastscreen Tasmania letters if cancer found on screening

Tests

  • Mammogram +/- UItrasound
  • FNA/Core biopsy – not available at RHH and should be referred privately but should not delay referral in obvious or highly suspicious cases
  • FBE, ESR
  • U&E eGFr
  • LFTs

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Breast Surgery clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

If breast lump is highly suspicious for breast cancer, please make urgent referral for FNA/Core biopsy and also to clinic including the details as above and noting the referral for FNA/Core biopsy including the details of the service referred to.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Urgent / category 1

New breast cancer

Proven recurrence of breast cancer

The expectation of service is two weeks for patients with breast cancer to be seen.

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Cancer Australia: Clinical Practice Guidelines Breast Cancer

Tasmanian Clinical Genetics Service

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).

LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201

MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923

NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926

RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.

*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment